7:00 PM - Hispanic Film Festival: The Sky TurnsEl Cielo Gira (The Sky Turns) covers a year in the life of a tiny village in northern Spain. After a 35-year absence, director Mercedes Alvarez returns to her native village. She was the last child born there, and now only 14 aged inhabitants remain (not rated).Free AdmissionHanson Hall of Science 102

7:00 PM - "Let's Talk About It: Making Sense of the American Civil War"Steve Warren will lead this fourth session on the American Civil War.For details or to register and obtain copies of program materials, visit 2nd fl. reference desk or call 309.524.2470. Free admission.Moline Public Library, 3210 41st Street, Moline, Illinois

Friday, February 3

3:45 - 4:45 PM - Life as a Geoscientist in the 21st Century presented by Susan Hippler '86Susan will talk with the Udden Geology Club about the science done by Exxon in its efforts to supply the world with oil and gasSwenson Hall of Geosciences 106

7:30 PM - "How I Learned to Drive", a play about one young woman's complicated relationship with her uncleJennifer Popple, directorRecommended for junior high and older. Tickets are $11 for the public, $9 for senior citizens and students. Order tickets.Potter Theatre, Bergendoff Hall

5:00 - 7:00 PM - 10th International Food FestivalTickets are $12,50; $7 for children under 10. No tickets will be sold at the doorCollege Center Dining Room

7:30 PM - "How I Learned to Drive", a play about one young woman's complicated relationship with her uncleJennifer Popple, directorRecommended for junior high and older. Tickets are $11 for the public, $9 for senior citizens and students. Order ticketsPotter Theatre, Bergendoff Hall

Sunday, February 5

1:30 PM - "How I Learned to Drive", a play about one young woman's complicated relationship with her uncleJennifer Popple, directorRecommended for junior high and older. Tickets are $11 for the public, $9 for senior citizens and students. Order ticketsPotter Theatre, Bergendoff Hall

2:00 PM - Low Brass Studio RecitalWallenberg Hall, Denkmann Building

Volume 9, Issue 20 - January 30, 2012

This Week's Message

Making history in Chicago

Earlier this month, Augustana College made history in Chicago, at a site not too far from its very first location, a church that was home to Augustana from 1860 to 1863.

For its Mid-Winter Meeting, the Augustana Board invited more faculty members to participate in its planning sessions as there were trustees present. That is a remarkable sign of just how seriously we at Augustana take the concept of shared governance. Not only is it important to us, it's also apparently newsworthy, as evidenced by the presence of a reporter from Inside Higher Ed, who was assigned to cover the meeting precisely because of its engagement of faculty.

A major focus of the Board's meeting was strategic planning, and looking ahead to Augustana's next major strategic planning process, which I anticipate will begin in about one year. Between now and then, we as a campus community will have the opportunity to openly discuss the kinds of issues we'll want to address in Augustana's next strategic plan. This week's Friday Conversation is one facet of that dialogue, and I look forward to your participation in it.